Joe Nathan struggles are a long-term concern

You can pooh-pooh Joe Nathan's recent struggles all you want, but if you're the Tigers, you should be concerned.

The Tigers won't get to the World Series, never mind win it, without Nathan being the Nathan of old, when he was a seven-time All-Star.

Sure, Nathan picked up the save in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Oakland A's. But his performance was shaky at best.

Nathan allowed two runs in the ninth inning and the game ended with the tying and winning runs on base.

That followed Nathan's Wednesday night disaster when he gave up a three-run, walk-off homer.

MLB closers are going to have some ups and downs through the course of a long season. But Nathan is trending down big time and we're just in May.

And at age 39, you can't honestly expect him to get better as the season goes on. The Tigers have to be worried he won't be there at the finish line.

Here are the facts: Last season with the Texas Rangers, Nathan blew just three saves and gave up just two home runs. So far this season in Motown, Nathan has blown four saves in 17 opportunities and allowed four homers.